Talking Faith with Young People: Ramsey Methodist and URC use Mission Fund for School and Community Projects
A Mersey Synod Mission Fund Small Grant for Ramsey Methodist and United Reformed Church (RMURC), with Scripture Union Ministries Trust (SUMT) is helping young people to understand that faith is within their reach.
The overall purpose of the project, which started in June 2023 and runs until August 2026 on the Isle of Man, is to engage more young people in the gospel and faith.
Andrew Cole (Ramsey URC Secretary) explained:
“The Mersey Synod Mission Fund Grant covered the costs for two team members to run events in the north of the Island, with help from church members and friends. It also covered costs for engagement and transport for curriculum events, Christian Union (CU) groups/ after school clubs and assemblies in schools and church-based community events at Ramsey Methodist/URC.
“A combination of communications such as Facebook, posters, fliers and word of mouth proved successful in engaging the community. After events, parents/carers were asked whether they would like to share their contact details and be informed of future events for primary phase children. Encouragingly, all were keen to do this.
“We are also working with local primary and secondary schools for Christian Union and RE related input, including at school assemblies. Contacts have been shared for RE related work and at School Leadership Level for other activities.
“There is no assumption or expectation that they attend Sunday worship at our church. The goal is to achieve engagement of young people in ways that are relevant to them, so different ways of ‘doing church’ might be needed. We are very conscious that the work is highly relational so we need to be open to trying innovative approaches to showing God’s love at the heart of our community (part of our mission goal).
“Two new after school initiatives will be reviewed and further pilot activities will be planned and implemented. The aim is to establish a core group of youngsters who want to attend regularly and learn about personal faith in Jesus.”
SUMT refer to this part of their work as ‘Northern Partnership’. An initial approach was made through SUMT’s Trustees to ask whether they would be keen to support our aim to be working with primary and secondary age young people in addition to the existing baby and toddler work. The understanding was that Ramsey Methodist/URC would access SUMT resources to pilot new ways of working. The Trustees were positive about supporting this aspect of our work so the church committed to raising £15000 over three years to enable it to happen. We are currently nearing the end of year one.
More information on Ramsey Methodist and United Reformed Church is available here: Ramsey Methodist and United Reformed Church | Ramsey Isle Of Man | Facebook
Synod Mission Funds
The Synod has set aside £75,000 a year and churches can apply for a large grant of up to £25,000 a project or, using the small grant scheme, for up to £2,500 as many times as required. There are even options for smaller amounts of around £100. Grants are for mission projects, not building projects.